The State Police are continuing to probe the blaze at the Office of Mental Retardation and Development Disabilities’ Riverview residential center in Wells but their probe has now been deemed “criminal,” the fire prevention office says. The probe could lead to a charge of criminal negligence if it was accidental.

The report raised a litany of concerns about the year-old building that was home to nine disabled residents.

Fire Prevention and Control conclued that the blaze, which started on the home’s rear porch and worked its way into the attic, might have been contained if there was a stronger sprinkler system in the structure.

Thought it worked as designed, “the sprinkler system was overwhelmed,” State Fire Administrator Floyd Madison told Staff writer Rick Karlin on Wednesday.

Inspectors also found the alarm system installed at Riverview was programed to call the home about the fire before calling the fire department.

The report is just the latest to raise serious questions about the fire:

State officials have already disclosed earlier reports that the sprinkler system might have been inadequate and inspection records also show that the state determined it would be “impractical” to try to pull the residents out of the building if a fire started.